• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.104-113
• /
• 2003

Background : Rhinovirus(RV) infections frequently trigger dyspnea and paroxysmal cough in adult patients with asthma and are the most prevalent cause of the common cold. However, the mechanisms of a RV-induced airway inflammation is unclear. Since the RV does not directly destroy the airway epithelium, it is presumed that the immune response to the RV contributes to the pathogenesis of the respiratory symptoms. In order to test this hypothesis, this study characterized the time-sequenced alterations in interleukin(IL)-8 elaboration from the human bronchial epithelial cells and evaluated the role of NF(nuclear factor)-${\kappa}B$ in the RV-induced IL-8 production by pretreating the inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Methods : The ability of RV-infected human bronchial epithelial cells and BEAS-2B cells to produce the IL-8 was compared with the controls. This study infected BEAS-2B cells with the RV14 obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. The supernatants were harvested from the RV infected BEAS-2B cells and the controls at 2hr, 4hr, 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, 48hr from the inoculation time. This study measured the IL-8 concentration using the ELISA kits. In order to elucidate the role of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the RV-induced IL-8 production, the effect of the NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors was evaluated on RV-induced IL-8 production. Results: The BEAS-2B cells produced small amounts of IL-8 that accumulated slowly with time in the culture. The RV was a potent stimulator of the IL-8 proteins production by BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. Antioxidants, N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC),\ and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC), blocked the IL-8 elaboration by the RV-infected BEAS-2B cells, which was dose-dependent, but N-Tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone(TPCK) did not. Conclusion: Some antioxidants inhibited the RV-induced IL-8 production by blocking the NF-${\kappa}B$, which may have a therapeutic potential in asthma.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.570-584
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to find out high school students' perception on psychologicallearning environment generated by science teachers and their attitude change related to science. The subjectsconsisted of 539 freshmen in a boys' high school pre-applied of common school group in S city. This study wasconducted with students' perception survey and classification of teachers' features according to it. The surveyabout science-related attitude was also made in early 1st semester and 2nd semester, and the students showingthe great attitude change related to science were interviewed. The results of this study revealed that statistically,students had a more positive perception on female teachers than on male ones and that according to their teachers,there were clear different in the psychological learning environment perceived by students. As for the relation of teachers' features and students' attitude change, it showed the negative effect only when the teacher was incharge of only one class, but in most of the cases, there was no meaningful correlation. The semi-structuredinterview with students with great attitude change related to science indicated that the main cause of the changewas the achievement they made in class. The interview showed that the change related to science happenedunder the indirect influence of teachers rather than direct influence. Furthermore, students wanted scienceteachers to meet the science class possessing various instruction behaviors and support behaviors. Therefore,science teachers playing an important role in students' choice of career should make efforts to realize thelearner-centered curriculum and change students' science-related attitude into a positive direction.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.39-57
• /
• 2012

Recently, due to the introduction of high-tech equipment in interactive exhibits, many people's attention has been concentrated on Interactive exhibits that can double the exhibition effect through the interaction with the audience. In addition, it is also possible to measure a variety of audience reaction in the interactive exhibition. Among various audience reactions, this research uses the change of the facial features that can be collected in an interactive exhibition space. This research develops an artificial neural network-based prediction model to predict the response of the audience by measuring the change of the facial features when the audience is given stimulation from the non-excited state. To present the emotion state of the audience, this research uses a Valence-Arousal model. So, this research suggests an overall framework composed of the following six steps. The first step is a step of collecting data for modeling. The data was collected from people participated in the 2012 Seoul DMC Culture Open, and the collected data was used for the experiments. The second step extracts 64 facial features from the collected data and compensates the facial feature values. The third step generates independent and dependent variables of an artificial neural network model. The fourth step extracts the independent variable that affects the dependent variable using the statistical technique. The fifth step builds an artificial neural network model and performs a learning process using train set and test set. Finally the last sixth step is to validate the prediction performance of artificial neural network model using the validation data set. The proposed model is compared with statistical predictive model to see whether it had better performance or not. As a result, although the data set in this experiment had much noise, the proposed model showed better results when the model was compared with multiple regression analysis model. If the prediction model of audience reaction was used in the real exhibition, it will be able to provide countermeasures and services appropriate to the audience's reaction viewing the exhibits. Specifically, if the arousal of audience about Exhibits is low, Action to increase arousal of the audience will be taken. For instance, we recommend the audience another preferred contents or using a light or sound to focus on these exhibits. In other words, when planning future exhibitions, planning the exhibition to satisfy various audience preferences would be possible. And it is expected to foster a personalized environment to concentrate on the exhibits. But, the proposed model in this research still shows the low prediction accuracy. The cause is in some parts as follows : First, the data covers diverse visitors of real exhibitions, so it was difficult to control the optimized experimental environment. So, the collected data has much noise, and it would results a lower accuracy. In further research, the data collection will be conducted in a more optimized experimental environment. The further research to increase the accuracy of the predictions of the model will be conducted. Second, using changes of facial expression only is thought to be not enough to extract audience emotions. If facial expression is combined with other responses, such as the sound, audience behavior, it would result a better result.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.140-156
• /
• 2004

This study, to find whether a sports activity and a speciality aptitude activity in school-childhood can affect in forming E.Q, has been done in Gyoung-Nam area and Busan wide city with asked 222 of men and women being in their school-childhood and a group of 85 people who had not joined in such activity, using a E.Q testing paper provided by Dae-Gyo Education Corp,. and Seoul National University Educational Research Institute. Following is the results after analyzing the compiled datas. 1. The E.Q. level difference between people who joined, and who not joined in a sports action activity was reported existing, the total E.Q average of those who joined was resulted 212.6, a point 29.6 higher than those not joined of 183.0 ( p< .05). As for the E.Q causing points, it resulted that the points of the joined group is generally up than that of the non-joined group, especially this difference was remarkable in terms of feeling recognition or feeling control, a finding that deserves an attention ( p<.05) 2. Joining periods of sports activity did also have relation to develping E.Q. of school-childhood according to this research, the total E.Q points of a group joined in the activity more than 2 years was 215.5 points, which was 17.4 points higher than those not joined of 186.5 points ( p< .05). Backing again to E.Q causing points in this case, it resulted without exeption of all main causes that those who joined in more than 2 years are generally higher than that of those joined less than 2 years, especially the difference was regarded as big in terms of feeling recognition or feeling control, a finding that deserves an attention ( p<.01). 3. The E.Q. differnce between those joined in a specialty aptitude activity and not joined was studied existing, the total E.Q average points of those joined in a specialty aptitude activity was 207.8, a higher figure by 21.3 points than those not joined group of 186.5 ( p< .05). As for the E.Q causing points, it resulted without exeption of all main causes that those who joined are generally higher than that of those not joined, especially for feeling recognition or feeling control, this difference was more clear, a finding that deserves an attention ( p<.01). 4. It also resulted that E.Q growth depends on the periods to have joined in a speciality aptitude activity, for example, the total E.Q points of those joined in the activity more than 2 years was 217.1, a total more higher by 13.5 points than 203.6 of those not joined ( p< .05). For the E.Q. causing points, it, with the exception of empathy was resulted that those who joined in the speciality aptitude activity more than 2 years are generally higher than those joined less than 2 years, especially the difference is remarkable in terms of feeling recognition or feeling control, a finding that is also remarkable ( p<.05). 5. The E.Q difference between the men and women who joined in both activities of sports & speciality aptitude was found existing, the total E.Q. average for women was resulted 214.2 points, which was 9.2 points higher than men of 205.0. As for the E.Q. causing points, which, without exeption of main causes, women's was reported being high than that of men, in special is more remarkable in terms of feeling control, a finding that deserves an attention. ( p<.05).

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2004

A simplistic quality assurance (QA) method was designed for a Linac built-in enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW), which can be utilized to make wedged beam distributions. For the purpose of implementing the EDW symmetry QA, a film dosimetry system, low speedy dosimetry film, film densitometer and 3D RTP system were used, and the films irradiated by means of a 60$^{\circ}$ Reversed wedge pair (REWP) method. The profiles were then analyzed in terms of their symmetries, including partial treatment, which is the case of stopping it abruptly during EDW irradiation, and the measured and calculated values compared using the Cad Plan Golden Segmented Treatment Table (Golden STT). The result of this experiment was in good agreement, within 1 %, of the 'reversed wedge pair counterbalance effect'. For the QA of the effective wedge factor (EWF), the authors measured EWFs in relation to the 10$^{\circ}$, 15$^{\circ}$, 20$^{\circ}$, 25$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$ and 60$^{\circ}$ EDW, which were compared with the calculated values using the correction factor derived from the Golden STT and the log files produced automatically during the process of EDW irradiation. By means of this method it was capable of check up the safety of effective wedge factor without any other dosimetry system. The EDW QA was able to be completed within 1 hour from irradiation to analysis as a consequence of the simplified QA procedure, with maximized effectiveness. Unlike the metal wedge system, the EDW system was heavily dependent on the dose rates and jaw movements; therefore, its features could potentially cause inaccuracy. The frequent simplistic QA for the EDW is essential, and could secure against the flaw of dynamic treatment that uses the EDW.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.42-50
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), an acute form of severe alveolar-capillary injury evolving after a direct or indirect lung insult is thought to be a common cause of respiratory failure though not many clinical studies on the subject have been made yet. Methods : Between January 1992 and December 2001, we conducted a retrospective study on 33 children who fulfilled the definition of the ARDS recommended by the American-European Consensus Conference in 1994. Results : A total of 33 patients(20 boys and 13 girls) were selected. Their age ranged from 4 months to 12 years with seven children younger than 1 year. The overall mortality rate was 78.8% and no significant difference was noted based on age or sex. Concerning seasonal variation, incidence of the ARDS increased in spring, especially in May(21.2%). Pneumonia(66.7%) was found to be the most common risk factor of the ARDS followed by sepsis(24.2%) and aspiration(3.0%). In immune compromised children(six cases), including a recipient of bone marrow transplantation, the mortality rate was 100%. Compared with children with multiple organ failure recording a 83.3% mortality rate, those with isolated respiratory failure, showed a lower mortality rate of 33.3%, although stastistically insignificant. Between survivor and non-survivor groups, significant differences were shown in hematocrit, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, PEEP, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ on the seventh day after the onset of the ARDS. Conclusion : According to our study, respiratory failure proved to have a great effect on mortality rate in the ARDS. More aggressive intervention and further studies on this subject should be done to improve the survival rate.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.162-167
• /
• 2007

Ammonia gas is one of the major pollutants which cause environmental pollution and damage to the human and the livestock. The objective of this study was to investigate the important parameters for the development of efficient removal of ammonia gas by Bacillius subtilis IB101 and to optimize the medium composition for the mass production of B. subtilis IB101. The ammonia gas removal efficiency was evaluated at different growth phases and by changing culture conditions (temperature, pH). The effect of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ concentration in preculture medium was examined. Medium optimization for the mass production of B. subtilis IB101 was performed by using Plackett-Burman design and one factor at a time method. The removal of ammonia gas was more efficient at exponential phase by 20% than at stationary phase. The ammonia gas removal was the highest at pH 4 and 30 $^{\circ}C$. There was not any significant influence of concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ on the removal of ammonia gas. The components of optimized medium for the production of viable Bacillus subtilis IB101 was yeast extract 10 g/l, soluble starch 2.5 g/l, $MgSO_4$ 6 g/l, $CaCl_2$ 1.55 g/l, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 5 g/l, $KH_2PO_4$ 0.75 g/l, soy bean meal 8 g/l.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Recurrent urinary tract Infection(UTI) in primary vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) may lead to serious renal scarring, a major cause of childhood hypertension and end-stage renal disease. To prevent recurrent UTI, low-dose long--term antibiotic prophylaxis has been recommended. However, recurrent UTI still develops during antibiotic prophylaxis, the efficacy of which is now being disputed. The emergence of resistant bacteria has also raised concerns. To evaluate the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis, we investigated recurrent UTI during prophylactic antibiotic use in children with primary VUR Materials : The incidence and risk factors of recurrent UTI were retrospectively evaluated in ninety-one children with primary VUR on trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole(TMP/SMX) prophylafis during the year following their index febri]e UTI. Results : Recurrent UTI occurred in 31.9%(29/91) children and comprised 0.32 episodes/patient year. Febrile UTI was 0.26 episode/patient year and afebrile UTI was 0.07 episodes/patient year. The recurrent rate of UTI in male patients with phimosis was 37.2%(19/51), which was significantly higher than in males without phimosis 0%(0/5)(P=0.025). In the logistic regression analysis for recurrent UTI, renal scar was the significant risk factor for recurrent UTI [RR 3.8(95% CI 1.0-14.1) P=0.04]. For other well-known risk factors such as sex, age, degree of VUR, APN, and voiding dysfunction, the differences were not significant. Conclusion : TMP/SMX prophylaxis did not prevent recurrent UTI in children with primary VUR. Phimosis and renal scars were the risk factors for recurrent UTI but the grade of primary VUR was not. In VUR without phlmosis and renal scar, a randomized controlled study without antibiotic prophylaxis is required. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:46-55)

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.34 no.6_2
• /
• pp.1165-1178
• /
• 2018

Collapse of an Antarctic ice shelf and its flow velocity changes has the potential to reduce the restraining stress to the seaward flow of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which can cause sea level rising. In this study, variations in ice velocity from 2000 to 2017 for the Nansen Ice Shelf in East Antarctica that experienced a large-scale collapse in April 2016 were analyzed using Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images. To extract ice velocity, image matching based on orientation correlation was applied to the image pairs of blue, green, red, near-infrared, panchromatic, and the first principal component image of the Landsat multispectral data, from which the results were combined. The Landsat multispectral image matching produced reliable ice velocities for at least 14% wider area on the Nansen Ice Shelf than for the case of using single band (i.e., panchromatic) image matching. The ice velocities derived from the Landsat multispectral image matching have the error of $2.1m\;a^{-1}$ compared to the in situ Global Positioning System (GPS) observation data. The region adjacent to the Drygalski Ice Tongue showed the fastest increase in ice velocity between 2000 and 2017. The ice velocity along the central flow line of the Nansen Ice Shelf was stable before 2010 (${\sim}228m\;a^{-1}$). In 2011-2012, when a rift began to develop near the ice front, the ice flow was accelerated (${\sim}255m\;a^{-1}$) but the velocity was only about 11% faster than 2010. Since 2014, the massive rift had been fully developed, and the ice velocity of the upper region of the rift slightly decreased (${\sim}225m\;a^{-1}$) and stabilized. This means that the development of the rift and the resulting collapse of the ice front had little effect on the ice velocity of the Nansen Ice Shelf.

• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.47-83
• /
• 2017

The Swedish labor market secures flexibility in the use of labor force by means of non-regular workers such as temporary workers among others instead of regular workers' layoffs. Although the labor law reform in the late 2000s made it easier to use temporary workers and the outbreak of the economic crisis strengthened the power of user firms against labor unions, the size of temporary workers was scaled down. It is the aim of this study to analyze the change in the use of temporary workers, to examine the effect of the labor law reform and that of economic crisis in that regard, and to explain how, over the use of temporary workers, user firms' strategy to secure flexibility and labor unions' strategy to regulate flexibility interact with each other so as to establish a new equilibrium through conflicts and compromises. The labor law reform to enhance the flexibility in the use of temporary workers failed to entail amendments of collective contracts. Besides, out of the economic crisis, user firms adopted a new policy to use third party workers more, refraining from employing temporary workers. That's why the number of temporary workers has declined eventually. User firms prefer to use third party workers because they could avoid their own responsibility as an employer and they could rely on 'permanent temporary' workers without any time limit. Labor unions, however, responded with a strategy to lay more strict regulations on the use of third party workers, so that third party workers could be used only for limited cause for external numerical flexibility. As a result, the managed flexibility thesis comes to prevail to the usage of non-regular workers in general beyond the category of agency workers. Korea with severe abuse of third party workers should learn from Swedish labor unions' strategy to provide third party workers with stronger employment security and higher wages so as to prevent user firms from abusing third party workers.